Further experiences with the specific red cell adherence test (SRCA) in bladder cancer. a histological and cytological study.

The red cell adherence test allows the disclosure of the blood group antigens incorporated on the surface of the urothelium. In the course of dedifferentiation the urothelium will lose its antigenicity. We applied this test on superfical bladder tumours (T1), carcinoma in situ and cytological specimens and observed a close correlation between the test results and the course of the disease, e.g. if the test was positive the recurrent tumour would be superficial and vice versa. As a rule the negative results revealed atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma in situ as areas of potentially malignant and invasive tumours. With the application of the red cell adherence test to cytological preparations we can probably improve the accuracy of the cytological examination in cases of transitional cancer of low malignancy.